===Starting TCSng=== -Xephem *Click “RT” button under looping if Xephem is not updating the time. *Click “View” and Select “Sky View”. -In the “Sky View” window click on the “telescope” tab and select “INDI Panel” -In the “INDI Panel” window that opens connect to the following module: -Expand “TCS-NG-INDI” *Telemetry → Connection → On -Click “Enable” (red light next to “TCS-NG-INDI” turns green) ===Stopping the Telescope=== ==Using "cancel in XEphem":== -In the “Indi Panel” window -TCS Module *Telemetry → Actions → Cancel ==Using "SafeTelescope" Buttons:== -Enable/Disable and Cancel ===Moving the Telescope=== *YOU MUST LOOK AND MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR TO MOVE THE SCOPE (ladders out of the way,etc). *Telescope must be enabled. ==Ways to move:== -With the Sky View window -Right click on the desired object. -Click Telescope GOTO *The Coordinates should populate in the NEXT section of TCS telemetry -Under “Actions” Click “Go Next” *Watch the telescope move and make sure to move the dome! -Equatorial Coordinates -In Indi control Panel: -Under TCS-NG-INDI -GOTO Functions -Enter Desired RA, Dec and Epoch -Click “set” or hit the enter key -Then under “Actions” “hit Go Next” *Watch the telescope move and make sure to move the dome! *When moving with the Sky View Window or Entering Equatorial coordinates, the telescope will start tracking automatically. *Remember the telescope moves much faster than the dome, and you need to watch to make sure telescope does not hit the staircases or platform attached to the dome. -Alt/Az coordinates: -In Indi Control Panel: -Under TCS-NG-INDI -GOTO Functions -Alt Az Goto -Enter the desired Altitude and Azimuth. -Click “Set” or hit the enter key. *Watch the telescope move and make sure you move the dome *Note: the telescope will start moving after you clicking Set or hitting enter. There is no Go Next Button for Alt/Az postions. ===Observing=== ==Initializing:== -Send the scope to a bright star close to the zenith. -Using the paddle, center the star in the finder scope. -Center the star in the eyepiece using the finderscopes and paddle. -In the “Actions” menu under TCS-NG-INDI Click “Init Next”. *Don't Click “Init Commanded” unless you are a very experienced user! ==Focus:== *Focus is achieved by looking through an eyepiece and adjusting it using the paddle. ==Limits:== *For this telescope there is no autodome function. Because of the design of the dome and telescope you need to keep a good eye on where the scope is in relation to the dome. There are many situations where the scope can run into the dome. *Currently there is no indication (flashing etc) on the TCS screen that you have hit a limit or that you have run into the dome. ==Catalogs:== -Selecting a catalog -In Xephem Main Window *Data *Files *The Files window will pop up you can add catalogs in the “Files” menu and remove them with the “Delete” button. -Catalogs in list form -In Xephem Main Window *Data Menu *Index *The Index window will pop up. You can select an object by name. *If you click Telescope GoTo the “Next” coordinates will be populated in the Indi Panel. *You can then click Go Next to move to that object. *To use the search function, you must type in the name of the object exactly or it will return no results.